Alfie shrugged, “I didn’t get much of the conversation; your brother was the only one speaking to them—Emilio wasn’t even allowed. I overheard Luca telling Emilio afterward. He made it sound like it needed to happen ASAP.”
Rage filled me from the inside out. “I refuse for that to happen.”
Alfie looked at me with pity, “I’m sorry.”
I watched him walk off toward Molly as I stood in place. The same anger I continuously push down started to build up again. What was wrong with my brother? How could he use me like I meant nothing to him? This couldn’t be the life I was told to have. It’s not fair. After hearing Molly talk about Aria gave me hope that I, too, can break free from the lifestyle I am held captive in. The first thing I’d need to do is get out of this, and any other arranged marriage my brother has planned for me.
“Alfie,” his name came out my mouth as a demand, “Where is Luca?”
“Probably still in the showroom,” Alfie replied as Molly sobered up and hung off him.
I started walking away without another word, but Alfie knew without me having to say where I was going.
“B! Don’t.”
But I was no longer going to listen. Tonight would be the last time that Luca DeCarlo would control my life. It was time for me to take back mylife. Pushing through the crowd to get to the other side of the club where the showroom was, I was getting whistled and winked at. Ugh, men were disgusting. Two guards were at the door, and even though they knew who I was, they wouldn’t let me in.
“B. Come on. This isn’t a place for you,” Alfie said as he followed behind me.
“Shut it, Alfie. Get me in.”
“No,” Alfie shook his head. “There’s probably naked women and other shit going on you shouldn’t see.”
“I’m so sick of people telling me what I should and shouldn’t see or do. If you don’t get me in there, I’ll tell Luca about what you told me.”
Shocked, Alfie replied, “We had a deal.”
I roll my eyes, “Get a grip, Alfie.”
Even though I would be told of this arranged marriage, Luca wouldn’t take it well knowing Alfie spilled the beans to me behind his back. Alfie took a deep breath and shook his head in disapproval.
Nodding to the guards, “Let her in.” Looking back to me, “I won’t make the mistake of asking you for a favor again.”
It stung to hear that. Alfie was like a little brother to me, but he didn’t understand where I came from. I will deal with him later, but I needed to speak to my brother.
We entered the room; the lights were dim with blue LED lighting. There was a stage at one end of the room with a bar on the other end. The room wasn’t big but had lots of seating. As I passed a few men getting lap dances, there was a secluded section that had seating around a little stage with a stripper pole in the center. On there was a woman half naked, twirling her body seductively around the pole. Seated was my brother talking to a man as they watched the woman.
Emilio was seated on the side, watching the woman on the pole. His suit jacket was removed, his top buttons undone, and his sleeves rolled up. He looked like his workday was over, and he was now enjoying the night. Looking at his exposed arms, I see they are tattooed. Just watching him casually sit there enjoying the view of the woman on the pole as smoke from cigars sifted through the air made me wish I was on that pole and that he was watching me. Without moving, his eyesight shifted to me and caught me staring at him. He leaned forward and caught Luca’s attention. They exchanged a few words, and then Emilio quickly approached me.
“Bethany, what are you doing here?”
The scent of him hit me, and I felt weak. His shirt was untucked, and all I could think about was reliving one of the imaginary scenes I put together when touching myself.
“Bethany?” Emilio repeated my name, who knows how many times.
Eventually, I snap out of it. “I need to speak with Luca.”
“Talk to him tomorrow.”
“No. Now.”
“I said tomorrow,” he sounded upset.
“And I said now.” I stood my ground.
Emilio grabbed me by the elbow and led me away from the secluded area.
“What is the issue?” he asked.
